Ovarian Vein Thrombosis

Synonyms/Description

Septic pelvic thrombophlebitis (SPT)

Etiology

Ovarian vein thrombosis is a rare but potentially severe postpartum complication, occurring 80% to 90% of the time on the right side, and with a reported incidence of 1:600 to 1:2000 deliveries. Ovarian vein thrombosis can also occur in the immediate postoperative period after pelvic surgery or in conjunction with pelvic infection or thrombophilias such as factor V Leiden mutation. Spontaneous ovarian vein thrombosis without any of these predisposing conditions is exceedingly rare.

The ovarian veins are located in the retroperitoneum, anterior to the psoas muscle. The right ovarian vein is longer than the left, and it drains into the inferior vena cava below the right renal vein. The left drains into the left renal vein.